The creative writing, observations, experiences, and opinions, on life, and the world around him, by Kiril Kundurazieff; taking one step at a time on the Journey of Discovery, and Enlightenment, that every individual must take from the cradle to the grave.

Nikita's Place

November 25, 2009

Well, I knew it was coming, and was prepared for my usual "show" of resistance:

Hide under the bed, and make Daddy crawl around on the floor, and drag me out , and stuff me feet first into the Cat Carrier.

This time, however, Daddy found ways to distract me to such an extent that I completely forgot to "put up a fuss" until it was much too late, and I was half-way into the carrier.

First, he, um, shows me the money, and I was dazzled by all that green stuff spread out at my feet before me (4 Bills equaling $109!)

Daddy, being a member of Where's George, got a new rubber stamp just for the occasion to stamp the bills:

EXCERPT FROM THE DIARY OF A CAT - in which a Kitty talks about plans to kill, or at least disgust, and repulse, the humans in its life.

Anyway, the 2nd distraction was to get me to spend time reading a book that I just love!

For the writing, you understand, um, not for the pictures. ;-D

Besides, The Secret Sex Life of Dogs and Cats, by Bernadine Cruz, has no racy pictures, anyway. ;-D

(My copy of the book was personally autographed by the author in 2007 - "To Nikita: The Best Damn CatBlogger in the Entire World!")

I actually enjoy the walk, and bus ride that we take to, and from, the Vet, but feel it neccessary to put on a show for my adoring public that gathers around us at bus stops, and on the bus, and oohs, and aahs, at me as if they've never seen a caged Cat, by asking loudly, clearly, and repeatedly..."Now"?

Of course, many humans don't speak, much less understand, Felinese, and don't believe him when Daddy explains that I'm asking the human child equivalent of "Are we there, yet?"

On this trip, at one point, Daddy, and I got off the bus, and he suddenly became confused!

This made for an entertaining, though rocky, next 15 minutes, as we ran around looking for the right bus stop, and bus, all because Daddy took a wrong 2nd bus, and we needed to take a 3rd to get us to the vet.

After a bit of huffing, and puffing, all on HIS part, Daddy got us on track again, just in time, and we got to the Vet with 10 min. to spare.

Upon entering the clinic (The Cat Care Clinic) Daddy sat my carrier near one with a beautiful yellow kitty inside, and though I tried hard to get the Kitty to turn around, and chat a bit, it wasn't interested, preferring to stare at the back of its carrier, displaying its ample behind to the world. ;-D

After a few minutes an assistant ushered Daddy, and I, into an examining room with a couple of chairs, and a counter, and table, high off the floor.

The nice lady opened the carrier door and invited me out and, seeing Daddy nod his head, I obliged...slowly, and warily, of course...gotta keep up appearances, and all, you know!

Within seconds she was petting me, and complimentting me, as she weighed me on a scale, and took my temperature through my ear (That tickled!).

It seems I am a pound short of my customary 16 lbs!

Daddy, and I were left alone a few minutes so I took the opportunity to explore a bit!

The phone was frustratingly out of reach, though, and the strange looking little computer, while interesting, sadly was only something I could play with if we had more time than what was available, not to mention an instruction manual. ;-D

Exploration complete I was sitting on the table when Dr. Panza finally arrived to administer my examination.

I like this lady!

She has such a nice Cat-side manner, and those hands!

Oh, sooo soft!

I could have sat there all day as she rubbed me, and felt me all over (And I DO mean all over!)!

As I opened my mouth, and said "Ahhh", and she poked, and prodded, I listened as she, and Daddy talked about my litterbox habits, and what I should eat.

The more they talked, the more embarrassed I became!

I swear, just because a Cat decides to take a dump on the carpet, once a month, is no reason to turn it into a Federal Offense!

And what the hell is this about watching my spine, and how I appear to have developed a "small gut"?

Is she saying I'm becoming pot-bellied?

How embarrassing!

I finally had enough, and hopped off the table, and hid in my carrier.

When Daddy mentioned canned food, though, I perked up.

Seems he was considering making a quarter can of canned food a part of my diet each day as long as I don't get chubbier.

The Doc was cool with that, and though they couldn't see me in the carrier, I was vigorously nodding my head in aggreement.

It's been years since I had canned food on a regular basis so we shall see how it goes.

Finally Daddy left, and the Doc took me away for my shots, and prep for my haircut.

About that haircut:

Getting a full body cut was down right embarrassing as hell the first time Daddy surprised me with one, and it took this macho kitty days before I'd go anywhere near a window!

Over the years, however, I grew to like the look, feel, and comfort, of the cut, and the initial embarrassment now lasts only a day, two, tops. ;-D

Should I continue my Film Making Career? Let me know what you think! ;-D

Now, on with the Carnival!

1. Jaime Teele, of the blog A Cheeto Named Larry (Why would anyone name a sliver of Junk Food? Now, naming a Boogie Mat, THAT I can totally understand! Not that I'VE done that...), has an entertaining essay that will bring back fond memories of the Glory Days of Youth to the older Cats in the audience, I'm sure.

When we first saw you it was love at first sight. You were such a playful little cat– a happy guy. The sparkle in your eye, it seemed, was magical - full of delightful curiosity and spunk. Now that I know you a little better, it seems we mistook the glow of your evil, evil soul for something pleasant. But that’s how Satan works, isn’t it?

2. The Viewspaper bills itself as the "Voice of the Youth of India", and one posting, submitted to the Carnival by Surbhi Bhatia of The Viewspaper, is written by a Cat owner named Kirandeep Virdi, over a year ago, and addresses the issue of healthcare for animals.

As any American Kitty knows, whose Human inexplicably spent all day, and half the night, last night, glued to the TV, and hogging the Computer, all the while only absent-mindedly paying us any attention (Only remembering to fill the food bowl when we pulled a piece of paper, or three, off the desk, hopped in their lap a dozen times, Hacked up a Hairball on the carpet, or threw a Hissy Fit.), there was some major Healthcare Legislation passed.

Anyway this person writes:

Good veterinarians are not easily available, especially in case of an emergency. Most of them are closed on weekends and even on weekdays have a short working time. There is no animal care directory, which can be accessed to with ease. Information regarding whatever measly services are available is extremely difficult to locate and immensely time consuming. And most of the times, the accessibility might be a problem. No animal help lines actually work. Ambulance services are non-existent. Government veterinary services are minimal. In short, there is no medical infrastructure whatsoever for animals in our country.

From Newspaer Columnist Sarah Clark, writer of The Mother Load Blog, comes a July 2008 tale of mighty heroism that only Tweety Bird & Granny could love. ;-D

Sylvesters son would no doubt put a paper bag over his head in shame. ;-D

I, Sarah Clark, mild mannered newspaper columnist, saved an innocent, defenseless bird from certain death in the jaws of a terrifyingly cruel monster the likes of which no weak-willed individual could ever contend.

When I saw the poor bird in the clutches of this furry villain, I leaped into action. Isis had dispatched another bird in our basement a week before, and I had been left to plug my ears and sing, “The Circle of Life” at the top of my lungs while she finished the job. I had no desire to repeat the horror of that experience.

There's one major surprise about this story, but you will have to read it for yourself because i ain't gonna spoil it. ;-D

5.At long last the Cats of The House of Chaos, and their Human are Blogging again, after many months!

It's been far too long, and I am glad to be the Carnival to welcome them back! ;-D

Indoor Cats, Feral Cats, The House of Chaos, and the Personal No-Play Zone, a tale of adapting to different lifestyles, and surroundings, that is the focus of this fascinating story by Babeth of The House of Chaos.

There is an interesting distinction to be made between feral and house cats...

Ferals don’t have time for play. They don’t have leisure for mock-fights. For them everyday life is a constant and repeated struggle for survival. They eat, but don’t enjoy the food because they must work hard to get it and will not always get it at all. They love to be petted, but remain ever vigilant throughout...

Our house cats have the luxury of being able to remain big kittens: they can sleep safely, eat safely, play safely. The only need they know is when their feeding bowls are empty and they wonder what is going wrong with the simians. They know not want, because everything is in a paw’s reach...No enemies. No fear.

This story is about the interaction of the two within The House of Chaos.

People can make you happy, sad, mad, etc. but pets really only know how to make you happy. Sometimes the cat seems like the only person on my side, and sometimes it is just nice to know I’m not completely alone.

12.Gypsy, and Tasha, sadly have not blogged since Christmas, but they HAVE managed to send out an e-mail that assures us that they have not not lost any of the 18 Lives they have between them!

The old post they wish to share is one they call a Three New Things Meme, in which they share adorable photos of themselves, and 3 things, of course! ;-D

13. and 13 1/2. There is a new CatBlogger joining the Cat Blogging Community, and I'm using the Hosts perogative to share not just the cute post submitted, which got the blog started, but the wonderfully amusing 2nd one, as well. ;-D

There's a reason this entry in the Carnival is in the position it is, and it appeals to my Peculiar Sense of Humor. ;-D

Please welcome Diary of a Bad Cat, and its Feline...Clarence (He brags that he has unusually large teeth, a superb intellect, prowess as a jazz musician, and extreme coolness.) ;-D

November 03, 2009

When Daddy reminded me that it was time for me to host Carnival of the Cats again my eyes lit up in anticipation, and I dug out my notepad, and pen, and began early prep for CoC #295.

Submissions are welcome anytime between now, and Noon PST, Sunday, so I can post later that evening (6pm CST).

The Carnival of the Cats is a weekly roundup of cat-related posts on weblogs, in America, and around the world, who choose to submit a post for inclusion.

For us Cat Bloggers the Carnival is a chance to discover blogs we might never have heard of, on subjects of all kinds, and you can learn more about the carnival, and how to participate, here.

I have not blogged very much since since, and I apologize for that, but I HAVE made my YouTube Debut, and for those who have not seen it, I will share it again at the Carnival.

Daddy and I are also talking of 1, maybe 2 new ones in time for Carnival, as well, we shall see. ;-D

When last I hosted Carnival, in the Summer, I expressed my thoughts about those humans, professing to be experts on all things Feline who write about how our behavior can be considered "Sensitive" and "Weird" at times, and that we can't understand a word that Humans say...

I think I'll end this post by sharing again what I wrote about this at the time:

1. We Cats ARE very sensitive. Nothing "Weird" about it.

2. We can't understand human speech??? If you believe THAT then why in tarnation are you advising your readers to TALK to us? Ceiling Cat on the Cat Tree! I swear, sometimes I wonder about Humans. ;-D

Look, we not only understand every word you say... we reply. It's not our fault that some Humans are un-educated Dolts, and never learned our language.

Not only do we understand you, but we Blog, and Tweet, and even have Facebook Pages, like you do as well. ;-D

If some of us were allowed anywhere near a Cell Phone we would be on the damn thing all day long, just like some Humans. ;-D

October 10, 2009

Every night, since I can remember...and I'm 11 years old, I've greeted Daddy at the door upon his return from work, and often from any other outside excursion he takes, even if it's just to the mailbox.

It's a joyous occasion, with me purring, Daddy saying sweet nothings, and me dashing over to the bed, and rolling over, as Daddy comes over for a couple of minutes of belly rubbing, chin scratching, and general, gentle, loving, and tussling. ;-D

This time was different, from the moment he opened the door, and caught me a bit by surprise.

Daddy was pointing that new toy of his, a Flip Camcorder, at me, and talking to me a little less sillier than usual, in his greeting.

This was so odd that I was a bit unsure what to do next, but finally settled on heading to the bed.

Things only got stranger from there as Daddy just kept pointing the Flip at me, and talking.

I finally figured out that the Flip was still a camera, even if it didn't flash, so realized that he was engaging in picture taking of a sort, which is something I enjoy imensely, so got into the spirit of the moment.

This finally got Daddy to give me some chin, and head rubbing, and that made all the fuss worth it.

Then I got a look at the video...

I don't know who comes across sillier in this thing, me or Daddy!

At least I look cute.

Not dignified, mind you, just cute. ;-D

Now that I understand what this YouTube stuff is all about, I'm going to work with Daddy, very closely, to bring the same combination of fun, seriousness, and dignity that I've always brought to my blogging to videos I appear in.

October 07, 2009

I've been preoccupied with watching all the new, and interesting, things Daddy has been doing around here lately, much of which meant him hogging the computer at times when I was not taking a nap, and might have wanted to go online.

Blogging about his trip to the Genealogy Confab he went to, then all that clothes shopping he did, followed by getting his first camcorder, and making his first videos for YouTube and, most recently getting all sorts of interesting things for his kitchen.

I had all these empty boxes in the kitchen, up until this afternoon, and not one of them was open so I could climb around in them, and maybe find a really cool place to take a nap in.

Wassup with that?

Then, the other night, when I greeted Daddy upon his return from work, Daddy starts pointing his camcorder the minute he opens the door!

Of course, I'm curious, I'm a Cat, for crying out loud, and you know what they say about curiousity, and Cats...

But enough about me, and the footage Daddy took.

If he puts it up on YouTube, and I'm trying my damndest to talk him out of it, believe you me, then I'll have more to say about it. ;-D

But, enough about me!

Today one of Daddy's cycling friends sent me an e-mail about a story that he knew would catch my attention.

A Google Search quickly found the original blog post, and so I can share it with you , dear reader. ;-D

We old people love to tell stories from our lives. We have lived long enough to have a lot of them and they get better and better with each re-telling until they are polished to a sparkling brilliance. Do we exaggerate sometimes? Certainly. Do we give the stories (and ourselves) better punchlines than what really happened? Of course. Because it's what we would have said or done if we had been as quick-witted then as we are now.

Sad, poignant, happy or funny, not infrequently our stories contain lessons we have learned and the wisdom we've gathered on our long journey through life and that should not be lost - which is what led to this blog.

A place where readers sit a spell and "listen" to other people's stories. And then tell their own.

One such story, appeared today, and was written by a Lady who loves, and cares for Cats, and has seen many come, and go, from her life.

This very moving story begins this way:

I feed the cats. I open the door in the middle of the night to let them out, I open the door in the middle of the night to let them back in. And then, when the day comes when they're too sick to stay, I’m the one who takes them to the vet.

August 02, 2009

Nikita, here, and I think this story is the cutest, craziest, and most awesomest Cat's Meow!

He waits in line! He has a favorite seat! He even knows when to get off the bus!

No, no, NO! I'm NOT talking about my observations of Daddy when he takes me to the Vet!

I'm talking about a 12 year old Cat in Plymouth, England! ;-D

"He just gets on and off as he wants to. Goes for a little ride," says Karen Baxter, a public-relations manager for First UK Bus, who operates local buses in the Plymouth area. "If the drivers notice that he's there, they make sure that he doesn't get off at some random stop. The cat seems to know where to get back off, then he trots off home."

I fully expect the debate over whether allowing this to happen at all is responsible behavior on the part of not only the Human Companion of Casper, but his enablers, of his Wandering, the bus drivers, and passengers, to begin soon, if it hasn't already, somewhere, but while I agree that there are risks involved in what Casper does, he IS an adult, afterall, and obviously is in full control of his mental faculties, able to safely navigate the complexities involved in his little jaunt.

My only real concern is about cars when he crosses the road, and Catnappers, out for a buck, who learn of Casper thru these stories, and try to scam his Human.

***UPDATE -1/31/10: RIP Charming Pussycat! May there be many Busses for you to ride at Rainbow Bridge!***

A reader named Tony has sent me some very sad news:

Sadly the cat's love affair with the open road has proved his downfall after he was killed by a hit-and-run driver, it emerged today.

A notice appeared at the cat's usual bus stop saying: "Many local people knew Casper, who loved everyone. He also enjoyed the bus journeys. Sadly a motorist hit him … and did not stop.

"Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed … he was a much-loved pet who had so much character. Thank you to all those who befriended him."

The local paper covered the story as well, and lots of folks paid tribute in the comments.

Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall, expressed the company’s sympathy for the friendly feline.

He said: “We were devastated to hear that Casper had been involved in an accident; he was a regular passenger on Service 3 in Plymouth and had become very well known across the business.

“On hearing the news of his death, many of the drivers expressed sympathy for him and Susan, and we contacted her to offer our collective condolences.

“Casper touched many people’s lives and clearly had a very exciting life – travelling around Plymouth and who knows where else. I suspect he’s now exploring heaven and is telling all the other cats up there about the many adventures he had.”

Casper was so popular that an image of him was emblazoned onto the side of a First Devon and Cornwall bus.

Mr Reddy said: “Casper’s image will remain on the bus for some time to come, and we hope that seeing it around town will give Susan some comfort.”

He added that Casper is also due to feature in a children’s TV programme later this year, detailing his exploits on the bus in the city.

“His memory will live on, giving people pleasure, for a while yet,” he added.

August 01, 2009

Daddy brings home the LA Weekly a lot, and when he's done I read it, too!

In the latest issue there is an interesting story about a homeless Christian-Muslim man who lives in a tent behind a Bed Bath & Beyond in Northridge, Ca.

The Railroad, local politicians and Feral Cat Activists all have taken an interest in this man, his living arraingements, and activities.

Patrick McDonald, of the LA Weekly, presents the story in an interesting, and sympathetic, manner, that sorts out all the issues of this very complex situation.

Seven days after his court hearing for trespassing on railroad property, Naser Nasralla a Palestinian immigrant from Jordan known as “Jimmy” by his friends, is once again feeding the stray, skinny cats that roam his neighborhood in Northridge, a tree-lined Los Angeles suburb in the San Fernando Valley made famous by a devastating 1994 earthquake.

“Cats have no reason to be hungry,” explains Jimmy, who speaks fluent English. “Cats love life like people do.”

While I wish there was more about the Feral Cats I still think this was a good story with pictures of Jimmy, his elaborate tent, and one of the feral cats as well.

Jimmy is a kind hearted man, with complex personal issues, who needs the system to reach out to him, and get him to accept some help, not wasting all their time and money trying to evict him, especially when no-one has a clue of who has proper jurisdiction of the spot where he has pitched his tent.

Someone also needs to reach out to the kitties in the area, and get some help for them, too!

A Forever Home, and getting spayed/neutered, would be better than the rugged existence they live now.

Ed Muzika leaves a comment, among the many posted to the story, that says:

Jimmy is part of a network of people in the area that tend colonies and do get the cats spayed and neutered. To name just a few, there are Helene, Monica, Rebecca, Marie and myself. We do periodically trap and get the animals fixed. We help each other in terms of medications and food and trapping as needed.

The real problem is that there are already lots of cats on the street all over the Valley, fixed and not fixed, and your options are to do nothing, as you seem to propose,or you can help keep them alive, or even place them.

Jimmy is in no position of provide vet care or get the cats fixed as he is confined to bicycle transportation. So each of us does as he or she can. But to criticize Jimmy for not being a full service "feral cat placement service" sort of misses the point of the article.

Jimmy does build coyote-proof houses for them out of heavy lumber donated to him. The cats stay in these shelters which he has erected all over Northridge at various feeding stations until people steal them. The other cats living near him have escape ledges underneath the bridge that no animal larger than a cat can get onto. He has also built sort of guard rails so the cats don't fall into the riverbed below.

A Google Search has led me to the great Blog of Ed Muzika, LA Animal Watch, and it is something that he has been posting on, regularly, since 2006.

July 12, 2009

Nikita, here, and proud I am to have the honor of the 400th post of this blog that Daddy and I share. ;-D

A friend of Daddy's, who lives near Berkeley, reports that a flock of more than a dozen tiny Finches visit her home daily to glean the Crepe Myrtles and Cucumber Vines in her backyard and the Pin Oak in the front.

Why just those three varieties she hasn't a clue, but she reports that they do a dandy job of insect removal and charm the socks off her 2 Cats. ;-D

I am soooo jealous!

One Cat spends most of her day ensconced on the back patio chairs, day-dreaming, napping and watching.

Whereas, the other Cat prefers the chairs on the front porch to observe the neighborhood comings and goings and better watch for the orange tabby next door.

Gossiping over the common boundary fence occurs on a daily basis...

Whether they are discussing the political, and cultural, antics of the humans who live in the Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco region, or something else entirely, Daddy's friend can't say for sure, not being a party to the discussions, but all things considered.. .life is certainly good for her Cats. ;-D

2.****WARNING*** Disturbing content...in the form of extreme cruelty to a Cat, a Dog, and a Goldfish, are discussed. Read at your own discression. ***END WARNING***

THAT being said...As readers of this blog know I do not shy away from controversial, and disturbing, subject matter, when it comes to us Felines, our welfare, and treatment (Remember my report on Cats as Dinner Table fare around the world?), and it is for that reason that I encourage you to read this report, and commentary by Nandita, of Cold Snapdragon, on the subject of "Torture as Art, Hate Mail, and Privacy."

In reporting on the treatment she discusses how the person involved with the Cat eventually responded to the reactions to her dastardly deed.

She writes:

People who don't get why that isn't acceptable to do such things are unlikely to have enlightenment dawn simply because they're told that it isn't OK or because such legal enactments as the (Dutch) Health and Well-being Act for Animals exist. And the trouble is that there really doesn't seem to be a shortage of people who engage in torture masquerading as art....................

What's creating a stir in legal circles is that she's not only published the mail itself but that she's also published information about its senders.

June 13, 2009

For weeks now Daddy has been digging into my computer time with his genealogy activities, but my feelings about this were easily taken care of with a simple bribe.

What can I say?

I love belly rubs, so sue me! ;-D

But Daddy couldn't hog the Computer forever!

I have to host the latest Carnival of the Cats tomorrow, afterall. ;-D

So what is this thing called Genealogy?

For all you Cats who don't know I did some research!

According to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary this is the definition:

1. An Account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms.

2. Regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor or older form.

3. An account of the origin and historical developement of something.

According to The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories "Genealogy" has "Middle English" origins: "This came via Old French and late Latin, from the Greek word "Genealogia", from genea 'race, generation' and -logia 'speaking, discourse'.

This all got me to thinking...Cats...that means me, you dear reader, the stray in the alley down the street...we are all organisms.

A "Something" that developed over centuries, from a much, much earlier "Something".

So I went Googling!

I did a search for "Cat Genealogy", and came up with some interesting stuff. ;-D

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